title: What is the relation between fear of falling and physical activity in older adults?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the association between fear of falling (FOF) and total daily activity in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ambulatory clinical research training center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community-dwelling older adults aged ≥64 years (N=78), who were independent in ambulation with or without an assistive device.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  FOF was defined by self-reported fear ratings using the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly and self-reported fear status determined by response to the following question: Are you afraid of falling? Physical function was assessed using the Late Life Function and Disability Instrument. Physical activity was recorded using an accelerometer worn on the waist for 7 consecutive days, and mean daily counts of activity per minute were averaged over the 7-day period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fear ratings were related to total daily activity (r=-.26, P=.02). The relation was not as strong as the relation of function and physical activity (r=.45, P<.001). When stratified by exercise status or functional status, fear was no longer related to total daily activity. Physical function explained 19% of the variance in physical activity, whereas the addition of fear status did not add to the explained variance in physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FOF is related to total daily physical activity; however, FOF was not independently associated with physical activity when accounting for physical function. Some FOF may be reported as a limitation in function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: vhornyak@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hornyak
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Jennifer S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Brach
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Wert
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hile
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Studenski
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Jessie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: VanSwearingen
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: FOF; Fear; LLFDI; Late Life Function and Disability Instrument; Motor activity; PA; Rehabilitation; SAFFE; Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly; fear of falling; physical activity